Post-tension anchor seal cap

Abstract

A seal cap ( 10 ) for use in sealing an end ( 20 ) of a tendon ( 14 ) anchored to an anchor plate ( 12 ). The seal cap ( 10 ) includes a receptacle ( 32 ) for holding therein a sealing agent ( 37 ). The seal cap ( 10 ) further includes a push nut ( 34 ) that grips to the tendon end ( 20 ) when forced thereon. A foam washer ( 35 ) is held in the front part of the seal cap ( 10 ). When the seal cap ( 10 ) is forced, such as by hammering, on the end ( 20 ) of the tendon ( 14 ), the sealant is displaced onto the tendon ( 14 ), and the foam washer ( 35 ) is squeezed against the anchor plate ( 12 ). A high quality moisture seal is formed.

I claim:  
     
       1. A seal structure for use in sealing tendons utilized with post-tensioning anchor plates, comprising: 
       a seal body for receiving therein at least a portion of the tendon; and  
       a locking mechanism fixed within said seal body for locking said seal body with respect to said anchor plate, said locking mechanism having an opening therein for gripping to a structure to be locked thereto.  
     
     
       2. The seal structure of  claim 1 , wherein said locking mechanism comprises a push nut. 
     
     
       3. The seal structure of  claim 2 , wherein said push nut is adapted for locking to the tendon. 
     
     
       4. The seal structure of  claim 2 , wherein said push nut is adapted for locking to the anchor plate. 
     
     
       5. The seal structure of  claim 2 , wherein said push nut has a cut out configuration for conforming to a multi-wire tendon. 
     
     
       6. The seal structure of  claim 3 , wherein said push nut is constructed of metal, and further including a conductor providing an electrical connection to said push nut. 
     
     
       7. The seal structure of  claim 1 , wherein said seal body includes a cylindrical body of a first diameter, and a receptacle of a smaller diameter for receiving therein an end of the tendon. 
     
     
       8. The seal structure of  claim 7 , further including a sealant disposed in said receptacle so that when said seal body is pushed on said tendon and said tendon end enters said receptacle, said sealant is forced out of said receptacle onto said tendon. 
     
     
       9. The seal structure of  claim 8 , wherein said sealant comprises a material that is initially flowable, but sets to a different state after a period of time subsequent to installation of said seal structure on the end of the tendon. 
     
     
       10. The seal structure of  claim 8 , further including a membrane for sealing said sealant within said receptacle. 
     
     
       11. The seal structure of  claim 1 , further including a compressible washer for providing a seal between said seal body and the anchor plate. 
     
     
       12. The seal structure of  claim 11 , wherein said compressible washer is constructed of a closed-cell foam. 
     
     
       13. The seal structure of of  claim 2 , wherein said push nut is captured within said seal body so that once said seal body is locked with respect to the anchor plate, said seal body cannot be easily removed. 
     
     
       14. The seal structure of  claim 13 , wherein said push nut has a sharp outer annular edge that engages with said seal body to prevent separation therebetween once engaged. 
     
     
       15. The seal structure of  claim 3 , wherein said seal structure defines a seal cap. 
     
     
       16. The seal structure of  claim 4 , wherein said seal structure defines a connecting tube. 
     
     
       17. A method of sealing an end of a tendon in a post-tension anchor plate, comprising the steps of: 
       positioning a seal cap adjacent to an end of the tendon;  
       hammering the seal cap onto the end of the tendon until the seal cap is sealed against a surface of the anchor plate; and  
       using a tendon gripping mechanism fixed to said seal cap for gripping onto the tendon.  
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , further including using a push nut as said tendon gripping apparatus. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 17 , further including using a moisture seal with said seal cap so that when said seal cap is pushed against said anchor plate, a seal is achieved between said anchor plate and said seal cap. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 17 , further including displacing a flowable sealant when said seal cap is inserted on to the tendon end, whereby said sealant flows onto said tendon. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 17 , further including positioning said seal cap on said tendon end by inserting said tendon into a slot formed in a material attached to said seal cap. 
     
     
       22. A seal cap for use in sealing tendons utilized with post-tensioning anchor plates, comprising: 
       a plastic seal cap having a cylindrical skirt portion and a tubular receptacle portion with an outer end of the receptacle being closed and suitable for hammering thereon, said seal cap further including a recess formed therein;  
       a metal push nut adapted for engagement in said recess so as to be captured therein; and  
       a seal washer having at least a portion thereof insertable into said cylindrical skirt portion.  
     
     
       23. The seal cap of  claim 22 , further including a sealant disposed in said tubular receptacle. 
     
     
       24. The seal structure of  claim 1 , wherein said opening in said locking mechanism is adapted for locking to said tendon. 
     
     
       25. The seal structure of  claim 1 , wherein said opening in said locking mechanism is adapted for locking to said anchor plate. 
     
     
       26. A seal cap for use in sealing tendons utilized with post-tensioning anchor plates, comprising: 
       a plastic seal cap for receiving therein an end of said tendon, said plastic seal cap having formed therein a recess, said recess having a radially inwardly formed lip, said plastic seal cap further including a skirt;  
       a push nut having an opening therein for locking to the tendon when forced thereon, said push nut being captured within the recess of said plastic seal cap by said lip so as to prevent separation of the push nut from said plastic seal cap; and  
       a deformable washer insertable at least partially into the skirt of said plastic seal cap, whereby when said plastic seal cap is forced onto the tendon until said deformable washer is pressed in a sealed manner to said anchor plate, said push nut is correspondingly forced onto the tendon to thereby lock said seal cap onto the tendon and to seal said plastic seal cap to the anchor plate.  
     
     
       27. The seal cap of  claim 26 , further including a radially inwardly formed lip for holding the deformable washer within the skirt of said plastic seal cap. 
     
     
       28. The seal cap of  claim 26 , wherein said deformable washer is constructed of a foam-type material. 
     
     
       29. A seal cap for use in sealing tendons utilized with post-tensioning anchor plates, comprising: 
       an enclosure for receiving therein an end of a multi-wire tendon, an outer surface of said multi-wire tendon characterized by valleys between each wire;  
       a lock nut housed within said enclosure; and  
       said lock nut having an opening therein, and said opening having projections that project into said valleys to thereby provide an increased area of engagement between said lock nut and the tendon.  
     
     
       30. The seal cap of  claim 29 , wherein said projections comprise pointed tangs.